Title: Parental Playfulness, Relational Health, And Caregiver Stress As Multidimensional Predictors Of Child Socio-Emotional Development And Behavioural Outcomes In Urban Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Dr. Popoola
Saidat Olusesan
Adediran A A (PhD) & Adebowale
D.C
Volume: 10
Issue: 8
Pages: 98-108
Publication Date: 2026/08/28
Abstract:
Play-based parent-child interactions are theoretically central to children's socioemotional development, yet empirical evidence on how parental playfulness, relationship quality, and parenting stress collectively impact child mental health outcomes remains limited in sub-Saharan African contexts. Objective: This study examined Parental Playfulness, Relationship Quality, and Stress as Predictors of Child Emotion Dysregulation and Behaviour Problems in Lagos, Nigeria. A descriptive correlational survey design was employed with 150 parent-child dyads recruited from community settings in Lagos. Children were aged 2-9 years (M = 4.91, SD = 1.94). Parental playfulness, parenting stress, parent-child relationship quality, and parental emotion regulation were assessed using validated instruments. Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26. Results: Parental playfulness was significantly and negatively correlated with all child outcomes (r = ?.39 to ?.45, p < .001). In hierarchical regression, parental role variables explained an additional 29.6% of variance in child emotion dysregulation beyond demographics (?Rē = .296, p < .001). Parental playfulness (? = ?.24, p = .006) and parent-child relationship quality (? = ?.32, p = .001) were the most significant predictors. Conclusions: Parental playfulness and relationship quality are significant protective factors for child emotional wellbeing. Integrating play-based parenting support within Lagos child health services is strongly recommended.